Comprehensive Analysis of CVE-2024-47948: JetBrains TeamCity Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE ID: CVE-2024-47948
CVSS Score: 7.5/10 (High)
CWE Classification: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

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1. Threat Intelligence and Exploitation Context

Active Exploitation Status

As of July 2025, there is no public evidence of active exploitation or chained attacks involving CVE-2024-47948. Unlike critical vulnerabilities such as CVE-2024-27198 (TeamCity authentication bypass) or CVE-2024-47949 (directory traversal in TeamCity), this issue has not been linked to ransomware campaigns, APTs, or globally observed exploitation patterns.

Risk Factors

1. High Confidentiality Impact: Successful exploitation could expose sensitive server backup data, including source code, build configurations, or credentials stored in backups.
2. No User Interaction Required: Attackers can exploit this flaw trivially via network access, leveraging improper path validation in backup mechanisms.

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2. Technical Analysis and Exploitation Techniques

Root Cause

CVE-2024-47948 stems from inadequate path validation in JetBrains TeamCity’s backup handling logic. An attacker could manipulate file paths to access unrestricted directories, enabling information leakage. This aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper restriction of directory traversal.

Attack Vector

1. Attack Prerequisites: Access to network ports where TeamCity serves backups or backup-related endpoints.
2. Exploitation Steps:

1. Path Manipulation: Craft malicious paths leveraging TeamCity’s backup processing to access arbitrary directories.
2. Information Disclosure: Extract sensitive data from exposed backups, including credentials, project configurations, or proprietary code.

Limitations

1. No RCE: Unlike CVE-2024-27198 (TeamCity’s critical auth bypass vulnerability), this issue does not enable code execution or system compromise.
2. Backup Only: Exploitation is restricted to data stored in backups, not active runtime environments.

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3. Vendor Response and Patching Guidance

JetBrains Advisory

JetBrains addressed CVE-2024-47948 in TeamCity 2024.07.3, released on October 1, 2024. The update includes:

1. Patch Details:

# Upgrade command for existing installations

./TeamCity maintenance update --server-port=8111

1. Patch Validation: Confirm the installed version via the TeamCity UI or CLI.

Industry Recommendations

1. Immediate Patching: All on-premises TeamCity users should upgrade to 2024.07.3 or later.
2. Cloud Users: TeamCity Cloud instances were automatically patched, with no action required.

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4. Supply Chain and CI/CD Pipeline Risks

CI/CD Pipeline Vulnerabilities

TeamCity is a cornerstone of development ecosystems, making this vulnerability relevant for:
| Risk Vector | Mitigation |
|—————————|———————————————–|
| Third-Party Plugins | Audit plugin dependencies for tainted paths |
| Build Artifacts | Restrict access to backup directories |

Detection Strategies

1. Backup Review: Regularly audit backup contents for unusual files or access patterns.
2. Access Controls: Enforce strict RBAC for backup operations and restrict cross-repository access.

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5. Detection and Monitoring

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

| Type | Indicator | Source |
|————————-|———————————————–|————|
| Network | Unusual GET requests to backup endpoints | [1][3][18] |
| Log | Failed backup integrity checks or paths | [1][3][28] |
| Filesystem | Sensitive files in unexpected backup locations | [1][18] |

SIEM and Monitoring Queries

# Example SIEM Rule for Backup Access Anomalies

SELECT * FROM web_log WHERE method = 'GET'
AND (url Contains '/backup' OR url Contains '/server-backup')
AND status = 200

AND user_agent NOT IN ('known_system_users')

Nessus Plugin

Tenable’s Nessus detects vulnerable TeamCity versions via plugin #208723 (CVE-2024-47948), classifying it as High Severity.

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6. Advanced Mitigations and Hardening

Network Segmentation

1. DMZ Isolation: Restrict TeamCity server access to internal networks only.
2. Zero Trust Principle: Implement strict RBAC for backup and CI/CD operations.

Proactive Security Features

JetBrains introduced automatic security update downloads in TeamCity 2024.03, enabling:

1. Early patch distribution
2. Reduced risk of outdated versions.

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7. Related Vulnerabilities and Attack Patterns

Similar TeamCity Vulnerabilities

| CVE | Severity | Impact |
|————————-|————–|————————————————|
| CVE-2024-47949 | High | Directory traversal in server configurations |
| CVE-2024-27198 | Critical | Authentication bypass |

Broader Threat Context

Path traversal patterns in CI/CD tools (e.g., TeamCity, GitHub Actions) are critical attack vectors due to:

1. Supply Chain Elevation: Access to build systems enables malicious code injection.
2. Hosted Data Exposure: Misconfigured backups often store sensitive credentials.

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8. Long-Term Risk Management

Continuous Monitoring

1. Automated Patching: Integrate JetBrains’ automatic update mechanism.
2. File Integrity Monitoring: Use tools like Tripwire or GitHub Code Security Advisors to audit backup directories.

Incident Response

1. Backup Scanning: Periodically scan backups for unauthorized changes or sensitive data.
2. Network Segmentation: Treat CI/CD systems as high-risk zones requiring VA/VP restrictions.

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Conclusion

CVE-2024-47948 represents a high-risk information disclosure vulnerability in JetBrains TeamCity, particularly impactful for organizations leveraging private CI/CD pipelines. While not actively exploited as of mid-2025, its path traversal mechanics mirror patterns seen in critical past vulnerabilities. Prioritize patching (TeamCity 2024.07.3+) and enforce layered security controls to mitigate residual risks.

CISA Status: Not included in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog, but aligns with broader guidance on securing development tools.